Merchandise dispensing module having cooperating hook and tab article support

ABSTRACT

A replaceable vending machine merchandise dispensing module having endless chain -mounted merchandise supporting hooks wherein chain sag is prevented to insure proper dispensing of the merchandise, the chain is guided to the sprockets to prevent its dislodgment therefrom, and the hooks are provided with closure tabs to prevent dislodgment of the merchandise therefrom.

United States Patent 1 Patrick 1 MERCHANDISE DISPENSING MODULE HAVINGCOOPERATING HOOK AND TAB ARTICLE SUPPORT [75] Inventor: William A.Patrick, Mayflower, Ark.

[73] Assignce: Polyvend, Inc., Conway, Ark.

122] Filed: Feb. 22, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 117,562

l52| U.S. Cl 221/85, 198/177;'221/86 I51 Int. Cl. B65g 35/00 [58] Fieldof Search 221/69, 76, 88, 218, 221/85, 86; 198/177, 179

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,789,726 4/1957 Wilson eta1 221/84 972,351) 10/1910 Dupont 221/85 X 3,288,271 11/1966 Burford198/179 X 2,101,685 12/1937 Nisbet 198/177 R 1 Sept. 4, 1973 2,298,95510/1942 Mason et a1. 221/218 X 2,288,620 7/1942 Goodhue 221/218 X2,665,184 1/1954 Hord 221/84 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1,7997/1891 Great Britain 221/85 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves AssistantExaminer-David A. Scherbel Att0meyRaym0nd N. Matson [57] ABSTRACT Areplaceable vending machine merchandise dispensing module having endlesschain -mounted merchandise supporting hooks wherein chain sag isprevented to insure proper dispensing of the merchandise, the chain isguided to the sprockets to prevent its dislodgment therefrom, and thehooks are provided with closure tabs to prevent dislodgment of themerchandise therefrom.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 41m INVENTOR WILLIAM A. PATRICKHIS AGENT MERCHANDISE DISPENSING MODULE HAVING COOPERATING IIOOK AND TABARTICLE SUPPORT This invention is an improvement on the replaceablemerchandise dispensing modules disclosed in my copending application forLetters Patent, Ser. No. 47,257, filed June 19, I970, entitled VendingMachine".

While the disclosed modules have proven far superior to other'knowndispensing modules in preventing the theft of merchandise therefrom bytilting and shaking the vending machine in which they are mounted, suchthefts can occur if the tilting and shaking is done during thedispensing operation due to the open chain hooks and the sag inherent ina chain. Lateral jolts, while tilted, occasionally will causemisalignment of the chain with its sprocket and dislodgment therefromwith a resultant loss of the merchandise thereon.

Accordingly, the main object of the present invention is to provide animproved dispensing module in which misalignment of the chain and itssprocket cannot occur.

Another important object of thepresent invention is to provide animproved dispensing module for vending machines in which chain sag iseliminated.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide animproved merchandise dispensing module with chain guiding and supportingmeans, and merchandise-supporting hooks having closing means to preventdislodgment of the merchandise therefrom.

A still further important object of the present invention is to providea chain conveyor having means for preventing chain sag and dislodgmentof the chain from its sprockets.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In thisshowing:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a vending machine illustrating themanner in which a plurality of merchandise dispensing modules aremounted;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view to an enlarged scale showing one ofthe improved merchandise dispensing modules;

FIG. 3 is a similar, fragmentary view to an enlarged scale showing theimproved module with its conveyor chain guiding, sag prevention and hookclosing means comprising the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a similar view to a reduced scale in which part of theconveyor chain supporting means is attached to the module housing ratherthan being formed integral therewith.

Referring to FIG. I of the drawings, numeral 20 designates a coinoperated vending machine as a whole which comprises a one-piece, moldedfiberglass or metal outer cabinet 21 suitably supported on legs and- /orrollers. The cabinet 21 is provided with a front door 22 having a glassmerchandise viewing panel and a rear door hinged as at 26 to provideaccess to the rear face of a support panel 34. The front face of thepanel includes a coin-receiving slot, a coin return slot, a plurality ofmerchandise selector buttons 31 (one for each vending module), and amerchandise dispensing bin 32 to which access is had by a pivoted door33.

A panel 34 which supports a plurality of individually replaceable,dispensing modules 35 is mounted within the cabinet 21 and inclinesforwardly so that the overhang enables the merchandise packages to bedispensed to fall freely from the front end of their module into thedispensing bin 32 without interference from the packages on lowermodules. Each module 35 holds a series of merchandise packages 36 whichhave tabs with apertures and may contain food such as potato chips,peanuts, etc., or any desired item or items.

Each module 35 is an elongated housing having an inverted U-shape inlateral cross-section and forms the support for the endless conveyorchain 43. The modules extend from a position to the rear of the supportpanel 34 adjacent their motors 40, forwardly through a rectangularopening in the support panel to a point adjacent the glass viewing panelin the front door 22.

The chain 43 is supported on a front idler sprocket 44 which is mountedon a shaft 46 suitably joumalled in the sides of the support housing 35and on a drive sprocket 48 axially aligned with and driven by the motorshaft 50. The chain of each module 35 has hooks 52 fixed thereto atregularly spaced points (depending on the thickness of the merchandisepackages 36) which hooks open toward the rear of the machine. In orderto prevent the dislodgment of the merchandise packages from the hooks 52regardless of sag, a metal or plastic hook-closing tab 58 which bearsagainst and closes a hook, is rigidly fixed to the next adjacent chainlink of each hook as shown. This comprises an important feature of theinvention.

The merchandise packages 36 are easily loaded onto a module 35 bysuspending them from the hooks 52 by means of apertures in their tabswhich are easily inserted between the books 52 and their tabs 58 forthis purpose. When a given hook reaches the idler sprocket 44 during theoperation of the vending machine and starts upwardly, being on adifferent chain link, it swings away from its closing tab and itssuspended package will naturally and freely slide off of the hook 52 anddrop into the discharge bin 32.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be noted that the bottom edges ofthe slides of each module housing support 35 are provided with integralcoextensive internal flanges 54 to support the chain 43 and prevent itssagging. The chain 43 and its hooks 52 move between the ends of theflanges 54 and -.are supported on the surfaces thereof throughout thelength of the chain by transversely extending pins 56. The chain may beformed of plastic with the links, hooks and pins integrally molded orthe hooks and pins may be rigidly attached to a regular metal rollerchain.

It will be appreciated as indicated in FIG. 5, that the flanges 54 neednot be integral with the housing support 35 but may be provided byattaching a coextensive angle member 55 thereto as by spot welding, etc.

It will now be apparent that lateral movement of the pins 56 and henceof the chain 43 will be severely limited so that the sides of the modulehousing support 35 act as guides for the chain and maintain itsalignment with its idler and drive sprockets to eliminate anypossibility of the chain being dislodged therefrom. Furthermore, theflanges 54 support the chain 43 throughout its length through the mediumof the pins 56 so that chain sag is also eliminated and the merchandisesupporting hooks remain closed by the tabs 58 until they reach thesprocket 44. Thus, pilferage of the merchandisc packages on the hooks 52is effectively guarded against.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred exam ple of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departure from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

I. In combination, a vending machine having a support panel includingapertures for supporting a plurality of individually removabledispensing modules; and a dispensing module having one end mounted inone of said apertures and detachably secured to said panel; said modulecomprising an elongated inverted U- shaped housing having idler anddriving sprockets journalled in opposite ends of the sides of saidhousing, an endless chain mounted on said sprockets, and merchandisepackage-supporting hooks fixed to and depending from said chain atspaced points; spaced pins fixed to said chain and extending laterallyoutwardly thereof; said housing including a pair of intumed flanges onthe sides of said housing coextensive with said chain; and said pinsresting on said flanges and supporting the chain against sag.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said conveyor includeshooks for supporting the merchandise; and tabs fixed to said conveyorand engaging the hooks to close the open part thereof and maintain themerchandise thereon.

3. In combination, a vending machine having a support panel includingapertures for supporting a plurality of individually removabledispensing modules; and a dispensing module having one end mounted inone of said apertures and detachably secured to said panel; said modulecomprising an elongated inverted U- shaped housing having idler anddriving sprockets journalled in opposite ends of the sides of saidhousing, an endless chain mounted on said sprockets, and merchandisepackage-supporting hooks fixed to and depending from said chain atspaced points; tabs fixed to the links of said chain and engaging thehooks to close the open part thereof and maintain the merchandisethereon; and spaced pins fixed to said chain and extending laterallyoutwardly thereof; said housing including a pair of intumed flanges onthe sides of said housing coextensive with said chain; and said pinsresting on said flanges and supporting the chain against sag. a: a:

1. In combination, a vending machine having a support panel includingapertures for supporting a plurality of individually removabledispensing modules; and a dispensing module having one end mounted inone of said apertures and detachably secured to said panel; said modulecomprising an elongated inverted U-shaped housing having idler anddriving sprockets journalled in opposite ends of the sides of saidhousing, an endless chain mounted on said sprockets, and merchandisepackage-supporting hooks fixed to and depending from said chain atspaced points; spaced pins fixed to said chain and extending laterallyoutwardly thereof; said housing including a pair of inturned flanges onthe sides of said housing coextensive with said chain; and said pinsresting on said flanges and supporting the chain against sag.
 2. Thecombination recited in claim 1 wherein said conveyor includes hooks forsupporting the merchandise; and tabs fixed to said conveyor and engagingthe hooks to close the open part thereof and maintain the merchandisethereon.
 3. In combination, a vending machine having a support panelincluding apertures for supporting a plurality of individually removabledispensing modules; and a dispensing module having one end mounted inone of said apertures and detachably secured to said panel; said modulecomprising an elongated inverted U-shaped housing having idler anddriving sprockets journalled in opposite ends of the sides of saidhousing, an endless chain mounted on said sprockets, and merchandisepackage-supporting hooks fixed to and depending from said chain atspaced points; tabs fixed to the links of said chain and engaging thehooks to close the open part thereof and maintain the merchandisethereon; and spaced pins fixed to said chain and extending laterallyoutwardly thereof; said housing including a pair of inturned flanges onthe sides of said housing coextensive with said chain; and said pinsresting on said flanges and supporting the chain against sag.